Local Music on the House

Patio Sessions return this fall with free downtown concerts at new time

The AT&T Performing Arts Center has released the lineup for its fall 2014 Patio Sessions, and those musicians will play at a bit friendlier time for us working folks.

The series, which presents local music acts for free every Thursday in Sammons Park outside of Winspear Opera House, will move its starting time from 5:30 pm to 6:30, giving those outside of the downtown bubble more of a chance to see their favorite singers and bands.

The free concert series runs September 4-October 30, and food trucks will be onsite to feed the masses. Here's the full lineup:

September 4: Rodney Parker & 50 Peso Reward with Tyler Rougeux of Whiskey Folk
Parker and his band are Texas through-and-through, delivering a style that's earned them cult status among country and Southern rock fans. Rougeux is appearing without his usual band, but his rich Texan drawl is exactly what you want from a country rocker.

September 11: Salim Nourallah with Chris Holt
Nourallah is a fixture on the Dallas-Fort Worth music scene, having released albums of his own and producing albums for many other acts. Holt is an acclaimed guitarist who has made his mark on a number of bands, including ones with Nourallah.

September 18: Boxcar Bandits
The Bandits mix together bluegrass, Western swing and country using string instruments to create a unique sound.

September 25: Cassie Holt and the Lost Souls with Haylee & Amanda
Holt is a singer-songwriter who's been playing clubs and bars since she was 16. She formed the Lost Souls band in 2013. Haylee & Amanda play both cover songs and originals.

October 2: The Roomsounds with RTB2
The Roomsounds are rockers who might remind you of the freewheeling times of the '60s and '70s, apropos because they count Tom Petty, Beatles and the Rolling Stones as influences. RTB2 has a hard-to-describe sound that encompasses a broad musical spectrum, but it's one group you won't likely forget after a live performance.

October 9: Luke Wade & No Civilians with Kirk Thurmond
Wade has used his small-town Texas background to bring an honest look at life through his folk pop songs. "Honest" also describes Thurmond, whose smooth and soulful voice draws you in.

October 16: Home By Hovercraft with Low Dark Hills
Home by Hovercraft is a family affair, with husband and wife Seth and Shawn Magill joined by Seth's sister Abbey, among others, to deliver their brand of folk rock. Low Dark Hills is a relatively new band formed by former members of the New Frontiers.

October 23: Calhoun with Catamaran
Calhoun has grown from fairly loose roots in Fort Worth in 2004 to their current status as catchy pop-rock band. Catamaran has a surf sound that somehow emerged in Dallas, nowhere near the beach.

October 30: Mariachi Quetzal
Mariachi Quetzal wraps things up on October 30 for a special Dia de los Muertos celebration. They've taken their traditional mariachi sound all across Dallas-Fort Worth and surrounding states.

The concerts take place at Sammons Park.

Nigel Young

The concerts take place at Sammons Park.

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Bicycling News

TxDOT funds $285 million for pedestrian and bicycle trails in Texas

TxDOT

Bike trail

The Texas Transportation Commission has approved more than $284.8 million for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure that will help improve safety, mobility, access and quality of life for people across the state.

According to a release, these federal Transportation Alternative funds will go toward 73 projects statewide — four of which are in the Dallas area — that will build sidewalks, shared use paths, dedicated bicycle lanes, and pedestrian bridges.

They will also be used for the development of active transportation plans that will help communities plan for non-motorized connected networks.

“This significant investment will make it safer and more enjoyable for people to walk and bike in their communities while improving access across the state,” says Texas Transportation Commissioner Robert “Robie” Vaughn in a statement. “By expanding transportation options, we can build more connected communities and a more connected Texas, while enhancing the quality of life for everyone.”

Examples of statewide projects include upgraded sidewalks, shared-use paths for biking and walking, on-street bicycle lanes, and safety enhancements like school zone upgrades, pedestrian crossings and lighting.

Examples of local projects include improving a shared-use path between Seagoville Road and McKinzie Road in Balch Springs; and building a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over an active Union Pacific railroad line between White Rock Lake and the Great Trinity Forest.

The four Dallas projects include:

Midtown Dallas Inc.: Midtown Dallas Shared Use Trail / Shared Use Path — $10,463,200
DART: Cotton Belt Silver Line Rail Trail, Phase 3a / Shared Use Path — $25,000,000
City of Balch Springs: Southeast Trail, Phase 1A / Shared Use Path, Sidewalks — $6,443,000
City of Dallas: Trinity Forest Spine Trail, Bike/Pedestrian Bridge — $10,903,200

While collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists make up a small percentage of traffic crashes in Texas, they account for 1 in 5 traffic fatalities. All of these projects will provide safer conditions for people who walk or use bicycles or wheelchairs.

More specifically, 27 projects will improve pedestrian safety in areas identified as potential risks in the Texas Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. And 29 projects are intended to provide safer routes for children walking and biking to schools.

Funding comes the federal Transportation Alternatives program, and are awarded after a competitive call for projects from cities and counties across the state.

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